Malia, 12, will be taking part in this classic American tradition for the first time this summer, and experts say the president and Michelle Obama have made a wise choice in letting their eldest daughter participate in this rite of passage. From Peg Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association:

We’re proud, and very pleased for Malia. Education and learning has been something that the president has talked a great deal about, and we see camp as a great learning environment. We’re sure she’ll have a great experience.

But we all know that sometimes that initial separation can be harder on the parents than on the kids, as the president let on in a recent interview. “I may shed a tear,” he admitted.

Do you think Obama’s would send their daughter to the summer camp program at Interlochen Arts Academy? It’s a top-shelf summer camp in the beautiful state of Michigan . . . . where Obama has visited recently.